My new buddy Vern ( real 367th Vet) just sent me an email back,
I had asked him about the 38J and Jug40 which the 367th flew in ETO
thought some of ya may find interesting...
Brian:
I did not fly the P38 . I started out in P39s in Panama and then checked out in the P47 in Suffolk AAf in Long Island and then sent to the 367th Fighter group when they transitioned to P47s. Based upon what I hear those that flew the P38 liked the airplane because it was easy to fly and more fun but more vulnerable to being brough down with relatively moderate damage. Also there was a problem of hitting the Tail whenbailing out. We have several that are crippled permanently after hitting the tail assembly when bailing out. The P47 was like a tank, very difficult to bring down could withstand an immense amount of damage and still fly. Some have cylinders completely shot out with piston rod flailing in the air and still flew. Because of this it was used for close support primarily.If you ever get into trouble a P47 could get away from any plane in a dive.
This is a pic of him below
